The royal line of the Goblin Kings is one that is older than one can imagine. A line of magic that is still continuous to this day. The current king who has held on to power since the reign of his father, the current king of the Underground, is named Jareth. Jareth's queen is Sarah Williams a human from New York. Together the two had a family. The first born a son named Lance who was born of Underground. The second born was a daughter named Irida who was born of Aboveground like her mother.

Lance's looks came more from his father. He had the same spikey blond hair, perhaps a cut shorter than his father and curved eyebrows he even had the same points of the ears. However his eyes were his mother's. His personality was more like that of a shy boy who stayed silent most of the time. Giving only hints at what he was communicating with his eyes. He was kind and pleasant but would rather not have to speak unless he needed to. He was quick to action when the mood was certain for it. He was also the heartthrob for all the ladies of the Underground.

Irida had the dark brown hair of her mother with golden blonde tips at the end; she also had two eye colors, one green like her mother and one brown. Her ears had a slight subtle curve to them. Irida was quite different from brother. She was curious. Since the age of four she found ways out of the home and went exploring about. In the Labyrinth, the forest, the park at her Grandparents house and the Goblin village were her favorite haunts. She was also quite outspoken about things. Things that in time we will find out about. She could be sarcastic, but not all together rude. She was loyal to those she saw fit of it. At the moment that would be her family of course, her two closest friends Jena and Celesta, Cousins: one a normal human with insight to the future the other a vampire and her Advisors Kida, Anthony and Alik of course there were others ones who enter much later.

Alik is the head of the Goblin King's army, trainer of dogs (mostly attack) and mother of Celesta. A woman meant for the military. No nonsense, strict and efficient expected from one who had grown up in the harsh weather of Russia and Germany before migrating to France where she met and married a local merchant and with him had Celesta. It is said that this time had allowed her to loosen up considerably, but I am still uncertain of how true that is.

Kida a beautiful woman indeed, from her dark skin and hair to her lovely golden eyes, nicknamed the Golden One. For her manner of dress is often golden in color is a theory some believe is the root of the nickname, but to those more informed it is in fact a reference to her mind. A woman who studies both the magical arts and the science of man is sure to know more than the average person. Of course the nickname could also have a rooting in her background. A fury and Harpy mix is rare, but the color gold in the feathers is rarer still.

Anthony, son of Kida. A scholarly type with the same mutation as his mother rejects his magic for the life of a normal man in the Aboveground. He is considered the Ambassador of the Aboveground along with Sarah William's younger brother Toby. To others he is simply a college student studying marine biology, specializing in sharks.

The cast to be added to a still going play has been revealed. Now we journey into time where soon the tale doth begins. For two shall collide one of the Aboveground and one of the Underground.

In the Labyrinth. In the forest section where a young princess is training.

POV Irida

"Remember hold you breathe and then release it at the precise moment." I say the words that help me every time I practice my archery skills. I had my bow nocked and anchored but an uneasy feeling was spreading throughout my body. Something was about to change. Trouble was brewing. Of course I am out in the Labyrinth without my Dad knowing where I am and I was supposed to be practicing embroidery. A talent I do not have at all. Still it does not excuse the fact that I will be in trouble if I do not return before he comes to my room to check on my so-called progress. Just this one last arrow and I can go.

I release my arrow the same time as my breathe and it hits the mark that was high on the tree. It hit perfectly for once. I was finally improving! I could do a little dance for how giddy I felt. I would have if the clock hadn't gone off. I was going to be late if I didn't run for it.

I whistle for Nightmare to start her canter. I can hear her hoof beats coming my way. A cue for me to gather the remaining arrows and my bow before I take off over the tiny hill to jump onto Nightmare's back. At least that is what I hope to accomplish. The last couple times I have fallen off my beloved gypsy vanner's back. This time luck was on my side. I didn't fall off her back and we were able to run off towards the castle that I call home.

Once at the castle I jumped off Nightmare's back and climb the side of the stone wall to my bedroom. Careful to gather the rope as I climbed. It was when I had gotten to the window sill that I saw the doorknob shaking. Oh Chilly Down!

POV Kida

I don't know how I get called to be a messenger owl! It is rather degrading. A woman of my standing and obligation to the pursuit of knowledge, just because I belong to a clan of bird type humanoids does not make me a carrier pigeon. Oh that lazy lady in waiting! She may be working under the queen, but her rank is far below mine! Breathe Kida. Just deliver the message and then you can go into the library and finish your research on the interpersonal relationships of the Northwestern Fire Eels and Green Icelandic Dragons.

I reach for the doorknob expecting the door to open smoothly, instead I find it locked. I jiggle the door handle. Thinking that it was perhaps it was stuck. The door opens a crack and then I push it open.

POV Irida

"Hey Kida, please tell me you are here to take me away from embroidery?"

"I suppose the answer would be yes, for now at least. Your father and mother are requesting your presence." She said it so somberly that my mind was reeling to all the things that had been…problematic.

"Is this about the paint can falling on the guards?"

"Not this time."

"The frog in the duchess's tea? Because I didn't put it in there I was just trying to keep it from being killed."

"I know that, everyone does."

"What about Bijou getting into the roast pheasant?"

"That was the kitchen's sous chef's fault. He had a little too much elfin wine."

"Oh so this is about…"

"Enough! You will find out when we get to the throne room." Like light she shimmered out of the doorway and I had to follow.

When came to the grand guarded doorway of the throne room and then entered the beautiful room. It was rather imposing, much more than the throne room Dad used for the Labyrinth runners. But what do expect from a magic castle that the leader of the Underground lives in with his family?

"Irida, please come forward." My mother said. Her voice wasn't giving a hint of annoyance of some mishap and my Dad looked happy, a bit sad, but still happy.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, Irida. You and I need to talk about your powers."

"Dad I know that the flare ups are bad and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, but the bracelet has been keeping it down considerably since the incident with the…."

"Your mother and I have decided to send you to a school that can help you develop."

"What?"

"We are sending you Aboveground to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"To Hogwarts, as in the school in England?"

"Yes, it will be good for you to leave Underground for a while."

"If I have to go Aboveground why couldn't I go to a school in America in New York where Uncle Toby and Grandma and Grandpa live? I mean it would make more sense."

"Irida, we feel that Hogwarts is a better option for you." Mom said laying a hand on my shoulder. "A chance to see a bit of the world will help you. There is also something you should know when you go to Hogwarts you have to hide the fact that you are the Goblin Princess and that you are only half human."

"Techincally she is a third." Mom ignored Dad's correction. This gave me time to ask them something.

"Why do I have to hide that?"

"Irida, we wanted you to experience school life as a non-royal for a bit."

"See things the way they were for your mother." Dad said as he came up behind Mom and embraced her from behind. I knew the whole story. My Mom, a normal human girl with some certain powers saved my Uncle Toby from becoming a Goblin by running the Labyrinth. Then she and Dad reunited some years later, from there they got married and had Lance and Me.

"I guess it would be cool, but won't there be some issues? I mean I don't use a wand and many kids have already started school. Not to mention won't it be hard for me to hide my traits with no one else knowing about them?"

"We have some ways of getting around the wand issue. The only people who will know your background will be the Headmaster Dumbledore and whoever your Head of House will be."

"It also is not that late in the year only a month or two. You can have time to adjust to the school." The idea of going to Hogwarts gave me a sense of depression. England was a country far from both my homes, far from everything I knew. I would have to leave so much behind.

"Irida, come walk with me." Mom said as she rose from the throne and towards the outside staircase. Going down the steps I knew I wouldn't be able to walk on for a good long time.

"Irida I know you are scared about this. Anyone would be going to a new country, a new school, away from what you know. I know how you feel. I had the same thing happen to me."

"Grandma sent you to a school in another country?" "No, I was talking about when I married your father. I had to move to the Underground and live a life I had only read about in books. It was scary and I was sad for a while being away from my family. I would cry at times were it didn't make sense. I made a fuse over sometimes the most simplest of things. You know if your father wasn't the man that he is I might not have been able to live here. He reminded me that I came here to be with him and to start a life together after finding each other after so long a time of being apart. In time we both got through the tough patches and came to find this place as a second home."

"I can see your logic." I said like a robot. I didn't make the connection of moving to a new place permanently and going to a magic school. But Mom was trying.

"Irida please give the school a chance when you go to it. You may find that you will enjoy it more than you would have previously thought."

"Is this one of those that's not fair stories you tell us all the time?"

"No Irida. It's not like that. Though if you look hard enough at it: you may very well some connection to it." Mom raised her eyebrow at me suggesting that it did have something to do with that old line she and Dad were always quoting. A private joke that Lance and I never got. "Is there something that can make it easier for you?"

"Can you have them call me by my middle name instead of my first?"

"I guess that won't be too much of a strain. Fine, you can use your middle name Irida. Now come on we have to go to Diagon Alley if we are ever going to get you excited about school then it will have to be there." Mom took my hand and begun running like a teenager.

"Why what's at Diagonal?" I asked careful not to trip on the broken step…again.

"Diagon Alley, Irida. How else can someone get excited about going away to school and that is with shopping of course." She said only pausing at the last part of her sentence before carrying me off to this place that I guessed was for magical shopping. I wonder why we couldn't just go into town for that. "Oh but we must hurry we don't want it to be nightfall when we arrive in England. All the good shops will be closed by then and we need to get your cauldron, books, robes Madame Malkin's will be first on our list and Ollivander's is sure to have a solution to your wand issue."

How did my mother know so much about this Diagon Alley? I don't think she has ever been there before. She wasn't raised like a wizard even though she has magic powers (thanks to Dad.) I didn't have time for an answer since Dad had gotten the portal open before we came in. A literal jump and we had left Underground.

In no time Dad had transported us to presumably England and I think we were in the city of London. My first thought on the place was gray. Gray streets, gray buildings, grey coats, grey sky and grey air that puffed out of cracks and corners and went floating into the air.

I then look at Mom and Dad. Mom was wearing a smart bright green tweed jacket with creamy skirt and brown heeled boots and Dad, black leather studded jacket, pointed boots and skin tight pants (granted he wore a similar outfit at home except maybe more toned down) was his rocker persona that was big among magical and non-magical fans. Yes, my dad the Goblin King/King of Underground was also a rock star. Best memory of growing up was when he was on tour and all of us got to go with him or on those rare great occasions it was just me and him. Touring and rocking every gig we got. I should get back to the present. Past is fun and present is well just here. Wait a tick. I thought that we were supposed to keep a low profile?

"Dad don't you think that you will attract attention?"

"Now what's wrong with attract attention poppet?"

"Didn't you say that I had to keep a low profile? You in your rock star persona is the opposite of that."

"I didn't say anything about keeping a low profile."

"That is right Irida. Besides if we wish to visit you at school it would make more sense for your father to use less magic to disguise himself as someone else."

"To clarify further I said that no one but two certain teachers would know anything about you being a royal and a Faye. Besides now you have a daddy to brag about at school."

"I do like hanging with my rock star father Jareth King."

"Everyone does poppet."

"Come on you two. We can start a rock and roll montage later. We have to do some serious school shopping. She starts school in less than three days."

"Less than three days? Are you sure?" Mom didn't answer instead she grabbed Dad who grabbed my hand in turn as we entered kinda seedy pub. Inside there people who were wearing clothes that looked like they came from another era. Long robe like outfits and odd symbol and designs sown in. My first thought was that we went into a steam punk bar or something like that. Then Dad moved us through to the back and tapped the bricks in the wall in a certain fashion that soon revealed the magic behind it. A shopping center with a sign that wrote out on itself in fancy glowing scripture: Welcome to Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley was vast and small at the same time. No matter where you stood on the road all the shops looked as if they were conveying towards one person in order to entice them to enter and spend as much as they could. In a way it was menacing in another one couldn't help but find it admirable. Each store was unique even if it sold the same things as the one across the way. The windows displayed wears that I had never seen before. Broomsticks, practical joke items of the magical persuasion, candies shaped like quills and so much more. The first shop we entered was the Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment. Where we were able to buy a cauldron, one set of crystal phials the telescope and a set of brass scales. Then the potions shop for supplies for you guessed it for potions. The robes were next and a bit more painful to deal with. Since pins are not always your friend. If the pin sized pricks are any indications of it. Mom was enjoying herself the most on this outing, well her and Dad. They were not immune to public displays of affection. Like they were two teenagers going through puppy love. Giggling, kissing lightly. Blah, blah, blah. You would think this would embarrass me, but most of the time I was too busy looking at the sugary treats in the windows.

At last we came to the one item that I truly saw no point in getting, but apparently if I didn't get it then I would have problems in school. Getting a wand. I couldn't use a wand I didn't even see how someone could use them to perform a spell. Not that I could really do a decent spell anyway, my powers were wonky to the w. A late bloomer to the gift of magic. (For a long time it was believed I didn't have any active powers) Till bam I started lifting things up off the floor and swirling them around the room. If I didn't have this bracelet one everything that wasn't nailed down would be a flying weapon. If I lost this simple metal band….I could potentially create chaos.

"Poppet you should quit making that face. You already have one that is too pretty for that." His finger rubbed an imaginary spot off of my face.

"Sarah why don't you go see about her school books while I help her find a wand?"

"Jareth, make sure you pay for it this time." Mom said before walking away.

"You're never going to let me live that down are you love?"

"What do you think?"

"Dad did you…"

"Ah, ah, ah. Wand first. Funny story at my expense afterward." He didn't wait for a rebuttal as he ushered me into the store. "Poppet why don't you take a look around while I talk to Ollivander, alright?"

Inside the store my thoughts went to gothic. Black walls, dark wood framing, cobwebs hidden in crevices and even a vase filled with dead flowers that had been there a long time since they were as black as night. When it came to looking closer at what the product was and there were thousands and thousands of wands all placed inside boxes that were stacked in shelves alongside the wall. Some were stacked in arcs that in the normal world would be considered impossible without glue or some kind of visible support system. How many wands did this man make a day? Did this many witches and wizards come here for wands? Will I be able to find a wand that can mask the fact that I don't need it?

"So you are Irida?" Turning around to find an elder man standing right behind you almost in a leering fashion would be scary to most. However when you have family and friends that do it on a normal basis you don't think much about it.

"I take it your name is Ollivander? Did you and my father have a nice talk?"

"Yes, Jareth has informed me of your situation and believe it or not but I do have wands for situations like this."

"I would think that among these thousands of wands you would, though I doubt that you do." Ollivander did not take insult at my words. Instead a smile formed among his lips allowing a slight chuckle to escape into the air as he moved to a wall. "Seems like you doubt yourself."

"How do you get that?"

"The bracelet you wear was made to hold in magic that you cannot control correct?" My eyes squint at his question. No doubt Dad would have told me about restrictions, but that didn't make sense with doubt. What was he playing at?

"Yeah."

"Doubt causes you to lose control over your budding powers which stir the doubt that you can control them. Thus you doubt yourself."

"You sound like yoda."

"Who?"

"A non-magic folk reference."

"I see you have spent some time with muggles then?" I nodded and he went about looking through the various boxes till he chose five of them. He placed the boxes on the counter in well-spaced rows, and then took the lids off each one placing them under the boxes to show off the clever designs of each unique wand.

"Pick one up and give it a wave see the reaction and it will tell you if it has picked you to wield it." He seemed quite keen to begin, to render him content I picked the first one up. A dark wooden one with star etchings along the tip that swirled down to the mid-section. It was fairly lighter than I expected, not that I thought it would be heavy or anything like that. Just not feel like I was holding a feather instead of wood.

"Well come on now and give it a wave." Dad had reentered standing right behind me. I did as he suggested and nothing happened.

"Appears this one is a bust. But let it not discourage us. Try the next one. Maybe that will be the one, eh?" The second was maple colored and unadorned in anyway. I repeated the process and again nothing happened. Not having to be asked I pick up the third. Hoping it will be a charm and not a dud. This one was another maple colored wood with golden dust specks creating waves along the whole length of the wand. Another process repeated and nothing of interest happened, unless you count knocking over a few shelves interesting.

"I hate the fact that I am the one that is going to have to clean all that up." Ollivander said tired already from just having to say that. Then his eyes sparkled a little when he saw that I had picked up the fourth wand. A dark wood wand with a greenish tint and a floral design graced its length. The beauty of it was that it was glowing.

"It is about time this wand of mine has chosen someone to wield it. I made that one so many years ago I have forgotten the date." Ollivander said as he was packing away the other wands in their neat little boxes. Dad went to the counter to pay for the wand while I just stared at it for a while before putting it away in a bag.

Departing form Ollivander's we came to an ice cream shop where mom was eating a mint chip. We joined her Dad had chocolate and I had rainbow sherbet. After the frozen dairy treat we left Diagon Alley for home where Lance was waiting to hear about my day and view on going to Hogwarts. He listened, responded and offered support in his special quiet way. I was going to miss him when I leave for school. I really was. At least for some time I won't have to deal with girls trying to get me to get him to go out with them. He gives my arm a shove at my thoughts. He was saying don't start thinking about how great it is going to be without me yet.

"Lance you know if I think about that it's just a joke." He smiled in understanding before grabbing my head in a noogie.

Time passed and it was time for me to board the train to Hogwarts. Having to run through a brick wall with a cart was interesting, numbing due to fear, but interesting. Mom and Dad got me on the train and then I waved goodbye to them and Lance as the train went on its way. It was weird being the only one on board a train. I could have gotten away with running up and down the halls, shouting to the top of my lungs, burping anything really. But instead I spent time looking out the window or reading. It was night when I arrived. The station was dark except for a few lights that showed someone was waiting for me. A man with long shaggy hair and a beard, his height was rather tall, but he had a friendly face with a smile. I liked him instantly. He moved a bit closer to the platform as I came out of the train.

"Hello there. Welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Rubeus Hagrid, you can call me Hagrid. I am the keeper of Keys and Grounds here at Hogwarts." He put his hand out for me to shake it engulfed my whole hand.

"Nice to meet you, Hagrid. I'm Lindsay, hopeful new student."

"Well I am glad to know that. Did you have a nice trip on the Hogwarts Express?"

"It was a tiny but dull being the only one on the train, but still nice."

"I imagine so, but don't you worry now. Hogwarts will be full of excitement for you."

"That's cool." He and I did a little chit chat as we made our way to the school. When I came to look upon it the first thought in my mind was. It's alive. It's alllliiivvvvee! I wonder if the good doctor once lived here? Entering the huge school felt a little like home. Tapestries covering the walls. Stone stair casings leading this way and that. The statues of those who became famous so long ago. The only thing that was missing besides my family was the chickens.

"Now all the students will be in the Great Hall, which is where you'll have your meals and where you will be sorted into your house. Do you know anything about the houses?"

"Only that there are four of them. One is Hufflepuff, another Ravenclaw, the third is Gryffindor and last one is Slytherin." I said as we stopped in front of the large door that I believe was to the Great Hall.

"You got 'em. Now are you ready to find out which one you will be put in?"

"I guess so."

POV Harry Potter (In the Great Hall)

"Does anyone know who this new student is that is supposed to be coming?" Seamus asked everyone at our table.

"I don't know but isn't it odd that they are coming nearly three months into the school year?" Hermione said. Inside her head I knew that she was thinking that it was rather rude for this person to do so.

"Maybe they had to clear it with her other school first? I mean credits don't always carry you know." Neville said coming to the defense of our unknown student.

"I just hope it's a new girl." Stated Fred as he shoveled some ham into his mouth. While his brother nodded in agreement.

"Better make it a cute one too." George said winking. Earning a chorus of agreements from the other guys.

"Hey don't forget the important part. Single."

"Right you are Seamus."

"What if the new student is a boy?" Ginny asked. Looking a bit smug at ruining her twin brothers' plans.

"Well then better luck to you ladies." That gave way to laughs for everybody. But once those die down I ask the question that has been on my mind since they announced the new student.

"How long do you think they will stay once they here about the chamber?" Everyone stopped eating for a second to look at me. The incident with Ms. Norris and Colin being petrified didn't happen that long ago and people were feeling well a bit on edge. Including me, that voice I heard the first night still haunts me. That voice….

"Harry, are you alright?"

"I'm alright Ron."

"Are you sure that was a pretty dismal question you asked just now."

"It was just a question."

Ron didn't have time to poke any further into why I had asked the question for Dumbledore had called for an announcement.

"The new student from the United States has now arrived. Please welcome Ms. Lindsay King." We all turn to the hall's doors as they open to the new arrival. I can see George and Fred high fiving each other over getting a new girl. Even Neville looks a bit interested with the news. I find that I am more interested in the girl as she enters.

She looked to be about my age. She was about average in height, fair skinned, brown hair with blonde tips, but the most interesting thing about her was her eyes. One was a lovely shade of green and the other one was a rich brown. I don't think I have ever seen someone with two different colored eyes before. Then there was her necklace. It was odd in shape. An almost crescent shaped but pointed at the middle of the arc. A circle with a swirling pattern within the circle

"Do you think the blonde tips are natural?" Neville asked Seamus who responded with. "It's obviously a dye job mate."

Then she stopped only long enough to say this to Seamus. "Actually your friend is right. It is natural."

Seamus stared wide eyed at her as she continued on to the sorting hat. I wondered where would she be placed?

She sat on the stool and the hat was placed upon her head.

"Ah now you are a difficult one to sort. So much potential I see, however an annoying amount of doubt." As the hat said it she looked up at it annoyed. The hat shrugged it off and continued. "I see that you are daring, loyal and have a certain regard to rules. Knows the power of knowledge, but has not the thirst for it thus not a good candidate for Ravenclaw. And yet you are cunning like the maze you do so love. With trickery etched into your mind by sire and sibling alike. Calculating the trait of important beings you know…" A strange thing happened to her face when he said that it grew pale, paler than pale it seemed. Did she get sick on the train? I heard someone ask, but I felt that wasn't it. Something the hat said got to her.

"I see now that Slytherin would have liked you, your blood says it all, but I don't think that house is best for you. That leaves only Hufflepuff and Gryffindor which to choose. Both would do so well for you. Now let me think. Which house do you need most? Hmm….GRYFFINDOR!"

The paleness did not leave her and instead of joining our table she went straight out the door. Perhaps she was sick after all?

POV Irida/Lindsay

I can't believe that stupid hat! He almost gave me away! The maze I so loved! Calculating a trait of the goblins! Trickery! How could he not have been any more obvious! He might as well have said where I was really from while he was at it! Two minutes in and already I am getting a headache. Chilly down!

"Excuse me…"

"Ahh! Oh! It's you Mr. Dumbledore." I knew him because he came to Underground a couple days before I was to come to school to introduce himself to me and to inform my father of something that made me Dad antsy for a day.

"I apologize for startling you. But when you rushed out of the great hall like that I had to see if you were alright."

"I'm okay, just a little miffed at the hat."

"That happens sometimes with new students." He said through his half-moon spectacles you could see a twinkle of humor behind them.

"It has been a long day for you, having to travel two worlds and a train to get here. How about I show you to your suite?" He moved on without needing an answer from me.

"Suite? What do you mean suite?"

"A restriction of your father I'm afraid. He wants to be sure that you are kept safe here while at Hogwarts."

"I knew he was going to have a catch to something." I said sighing before catching up to him. We moved up stairs that moved, past paintings that had people saying hello or waving (I could get used to that) and made to a large painting of a woman.

"Password?"

"Wattlebird" The portrait then moved to show a doorway into a large room.

"This is the common room where you can socialize, study and relax after a hard day of classes. And this room…" He stopped in front a smaller door that I don't think was there before I arrived at Hogwarts. The hint was that there was a painting lying on a chair next to the door. "Is your room. You will find that all your belongings have already been brought up and are inside, you just need to put them away. Remember to keep this key with you at all times, like that necklace you wear." He said handing me an old beat up iron key that had darkened with age and use.

"Thank you Professor Dumbledore." He gave a smile and then went on out the door as I entered mine. The room was large enough for the Harlem Globetrotters to practice in. I would have been fine with a much smaller room, no need for one this big. I mean seriously I could get lost in here. That was when I heard a knock on the door. I go to open it a crack and find a boy outside my door.

"Hello Ms. King. I'm Harry, Harry Potter and I would like to welcome you to Gryffindor." I open the door wider and get a better look at him. He was admitingly cute. He had black hair that looked really silky to the touch. Eyes that were honest and brave framed with glasses that made him look cuter for it.

"Hey. Thanks for the welcome. Harry, right?" Oh god that sounded stupid.

"Yes, it's Harry."

"Nice to know. Look I don't want to seem rude or anything, but I would like to get some rest. You know long day of traveling."

"Sure I understand. If you need any help then give me a call, okay?"

"Will do. See you tomorrow." I gave him a little wave and closed the door behind me. Well if this school has guys like that maybe it won't be so bad here.